# C_2007192EN.01002101.xml

| 18.8.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 192/21 |
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18.8.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 192/21

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4857 — 3i/Accord)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 192/14)

| 1. | On 9 August 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Kirk Newco plc, a company which is ultimately controlled by 3i Group plc and funds managed by 3i Investments plc (‘3i’, UK), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Accord Limited and the group of companies controlled by it (‘Accord’, UK), by way of purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 9 August 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Kirk Newco plc, a company which is ultimately controlled by 3i Group plc and funds managed by 3i Investments plc (‘3i’, UK), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of Accord Limited and the group of companies controlled by it (‘Accord’, UK), by way of purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | 3i: international private equity house and venture capital company providing management advice and management to investment funds, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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3i: international private equity house and venture capital company providing management advice and management to investment funds,

| — | Accord: providing outsourced services primarily to the public sector (highway, environmental, housing, facility management and consultancy services). |
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Accord: providing outsourced services primarily to the public sector (highway, environmental, housing, facility management and consultancy services).

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4857 — 3i/Accord, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4857 — 3i/Accord, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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